86th OSS Airman exceeds standards, recognized among peers

Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Dymekre Allen
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

 

Tech. Sgt. Timothy Ledford, 86th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment craftsman, attaches night-vision goggles to a helmet Wednesday on Ramstein. Ledford was honored with the aircrew flight equipment NCO of the year award for his accomplishments.
Tech. Sgt. Timothy Ledford, 86th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment craftsman, attaches night-vision goggles to a helmet Wednesday on Ramstein. Ledford was honored with the aircrew flight equipment NCO of the year award for his accomplishments.

Tech. Sgt. Timothy Ledford, 86th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment craftsman, was honored with the aircrew flight equipment NCO of the year award for his outstanding accomplishments.

The purpose of the NCO of the year award is to acknowledge Air Force military, civilian individuals and units for exceptional performance in the line of duty.

“Ledford exemplifies the core values of the Air Force and I am very pleased to work with him,” said Master Sgt. Yancey Callahan, 86th OSS AFE superintendent. “He is an NCO who his peers and subordinates should strive to emulate.”

Ledford contributed to AFE operations and implemented enhancements to readiness. His leadership and management skills helped him beat more than 60 other nominees.

“He’s a great leader and mentor,” said Master Sgt. Marittza Stewart, 86th OSS AFE flight chief. “He constantly exceeds all of our expectations.”

Along with surpassing expectations, Ledford’s experience and training also played a part in him winning this award. He mentored 13 youths in English and math and helped turn failing grades to 3.0 grade point averages.

He also completed unit deployment manager and professional development seminar course training, which allowed Ledford to solidify a 72-hour, short-notice response to operations in Libya and Africa.

Ledford also graduated a combat survivor evader locater radio training course, which helped him aid downed aircrew members and accomplish strategic missions and other operations.

Ledford’s dedication and motivation to improve himself and those around him made him the perfect candidate to represent as the winner of this year’s AFE NCO award.

“I’m very humbled and undeserving,” Ledford said. “Being a part of the AFE career field means that we have to be meticulous and pay very close attention to detail and I just want to live up to that and…do my best every day.”